1.‘Istanbul Convention’ was in news recently. It deals with
- Preventing violence against women
- Trans boundary Movements of Medicines
- Narcotic Drugs
- Migratory Species
- Answer: (a) Preventing violence against women
- Explanation:
- In NEWS:Poland to quit treaty on violence against women, minister says
- Poland will take steps to withdraw from a European treaty on violence against women, which the right-wing cabinet says violates parents’ rights by requiring schools to teach children about gender
- The government says the treaty is disrespectful towards religion and requires teaching liberal social policies in schools
- Istanbul Convention is also known as the Council of Europe convention on combating and preventing violence against women and domestic violence.Hence Option (a) is correct.
- It was adopted by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers in 2011.It came into force in 2014.
- The convention sets minimum standards for governments to meet when tackling violence against women. When a government ratifies the Convention, they are legally bound to follow it.
- As of March 2019, it has been signed by 45 countries and the European Union.
- Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/poland-to-quit-treaty-on-violence-against-women-minister-says/article32194877.ece
2.Financial Management Index for Rural Development Programme has developed by
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Ministry of Rural Development
Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries
Answer: (c) Ministry of Rural Development
Explanation:
In NEWS:Centre allocates additional Rs 40 thousand cr under MGNREGA in view of COVID-19 pandemic
Financial Management Index for Rural Development Programmes to rank the performance of the states.
The performance of the States in the Index would promote the spirit of competitive, cooperative federalism amongst States.
Rural development ministry has developed a financial management index.Hence Option (c) is correct.
It will rank the performance of states over their utilization of Central government funds.
It will rank states on the basis of five parameters:
Optimum implementation of Public Financial Management System (PFMS)
Direct Benefit Transfer
Internal Audit
Social Audit
The states will be ranked on the basis of preparation of annual plan, projecting the requirement of funds for the financial year, expeditious release of state’s share, timely utilization of the funds and submission of the Utilization Certificates.
3.Consider the following statements regarding Nag River
It is a river that flows through the state of Karnataka
It originates from a lake Ambazari near Lava Hills
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS:Industrialisation has reduced Nag river to a cursed lady: HC
The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court recently noted that the Nag river, from which Nagpur city derives its name, “used to be a vibrant and clear rivulet, reverberating with life and giving life force like a mother to her children, is now reduced to a cursed lady, thanks to industrialisation and urbanisation and alienation of the river by her own children.”
About Nag River
The Nag River is a river that flows through the city of Nagpur in Maharashtra, India.Hence statement 1 is incorrect
It originates from a lake called Ambazari, near Lava Hills which is located to the west of Nagpur City.Hence statement 2 is correct
River Pili is one of the tributaries of River Nag.
The River is part of the Godavari River Basin.
The city of Nagpur derives its name from this river.
4.Consider the following statements
The question of disqualification under the Tenth Schedule is decided by the state election commissioner and election commission of India
The anti-defection law allows a party to merge with or into another party provided that at least two-thirds of its legislators are in favour of the merger.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS:Explained: How BSP is banking on SC rulings to hold back former MLAs
The BSP is trying to win back its six MLAs who later joined the Congress, or at least to keep them from supporting Gehlot
Politically, the BSP has taken a stand not to support the Gehlot government. If the six MLAs were to be disqualified, the effective strength of the House reduces and so does Gehlot’s majority.
However, the Speaker has rejected the disqualification plea.
About Tenth Schedule
The Tenth Schedule provides for the disqualification of Members of Parliament and state legislatures who defect.
It was inserted in the Constitution by the Constitution (Fifty-Second Amendment) Act, 1985, popularly known as the “anti-defection law”.
The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution prohibits defection to protect the stability of governments but does not prohibit mergers. Paragraph 4(2) of the Tenth Schedule, dealing with mergers, says that only when two-thirds of the members agree to “merge” the party would they be exempt from disqualification. Hence statement 2 is correct
The “merger” referred to in Paragraph 4(2) is seen as legal fiction, where members are deemed to have merged for the purposes of being exempt from disqualification, rather than a merger in the true sense.
Paragraph 6(1) of the Tenth Schedule describes the Speaker’s sweeping discretionary powers: “If any question arises as to whether a member of a House has become subject to disqualification under this Schedule, the question shall be referred for the decision of the Chairman or, as the case may be, the Speaker of such House and his decision shall be final.”Hence statement 1 is incorrect
5.Consider the following statements regarding Bureau Of Indian Standards
It is a body that has no statutory backup.
It is the National Standard Body of India for achieving harmonious development of the activities of standardization, certification marking and quality certification of goods.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS:Shri Ram Vilas Paswan launches BIS Mobile App ‘BIS-Care’ and Standardization, Conformity Assessment and Training Portals of e-BIS
The app aims to allow consumers to check the authenticity of the ISI-marked and hallmarked products and also lodge complaints using the application.
BIS is strengthening its capacity of enforcement by implementation of e-BIS, an integrated portal covering all its functions, enlisting the services of outside agencies for factory and market surveillance and development of mobile app-based and AI-enabled surveillance methods.
About Bureau Of Indian Standards
It is a statutory body established in 1987 under the BIS Act 1986. It replaced the Indian Standards Institution (ISI), a body set up under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.Hence statement 1 is incorrect
Union Consumer Affairs Minister is the ex-officio President of the BIS.
BIS is the National Standard Body of India for achieving harmonious development of the activities of standardization, certification marking and quality certification of goods.Hence statement 2 is correct
BIS is involved in various activities such as Standards Formulation, Product Certification Scheme, Hall Marking Scheme, Laboratory Services etc.
HQ: New Delhi.
6.United Nations Security Council Resolution 1401 is related to which of the following issue?
International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals
Israel’s Settlement Programme
AlQaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee
Human rights situation in Afghanistan
Answer: (d) Human rights situation in Afghanistan
Explanation:
In NEWS:UN mission in Afghan documents terror attacks on Sikhs, other religious minorities
The UN mission in Afghanistan has documented attacks by lslamic terrorists on the Sikh community and other religious in the country and said there were over 3,400 civilian casualties in the war-torn nation in the first half of 2020.
More than 1,280 Afghan civilians have been killed as fighting rages in Afghanistan, as per UNAMA.
About United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
It is a political UN mission established at the request of the Government of Afghanistan to assist the people of Afghanistan in laying the foundations for sustainable peace and development.
It was established in 2002 by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1401.Hence Option (d) is correct.
Its original mandate was to support the Bonn Agreement (2001).
The United Nations has been involved in the region since 1946 when Afghanistan joined the General Assembly.
It monitors and promotes human rights and the protection of civilians in armed conflict; promotes good governance; and encourages regional cooperation.
7.Consider the following statements regarding CAWACH
It is an initiative by National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board
It aims to support market-ready innovations for the control of COVID-19 and start up ideas to address associated challenges.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS:Bangalore based startup brings out mobile app for detection & risk assessment of COVID 19 infected individuals
The Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH) has selected Bangalore based startup Acculi Labs to develop a COVID risk assessment profile called Lyfas COVID score.
Lyfas is an Android application in which, when one keeps the index finger on the rear phone camera of a mobile phone for 5 minutes, captures the capillary pulse and blood volume change and derive 95 biomarkers with proprietary algorithms and signal processing techniques.
About Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH):
CAWACH is an initiative by National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Hence statement 1 is correct
It aims to support market-ready innovations for the control of COVID-19 and startup ideas to address associated challenges. Hence statement 2 is correct
The Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), a technology business incubator at IIT Bombay supported by DST has been identified as the Implementing Agency of CAWACH to source and support startups having solutions to fight pandemic COVID-19 by way of funding.
SINE is supported by Indian STEPs and Business Incubator Association (ISBA) in implementation of the program.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1641755
8.Consider the following statements regarding Green-Ag project
It aims to catalyse sustainable transformation of agriculture without compromising the countries food security and farmers income
It is funded by the Global Environment Facility
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS:Centre launches pilot project to reduce emissions from agriculture
The Union government on July 28, 2020, launched the Green-Ag Project in Mizoram, to reduce emissions from agriculture and ensure sustainable agricultural practices.
A project which aims to catalyse sustainable transformation of agriculture without compromising the countrys food security and farmers income. Hence statement 1 is correct
The project will be implemented in Dampa Tiger Reserve in west MizoramsMamit district and Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary in Lunglei district in the southern part of the state covering more than 30 villages
Mizoram is one of the five states where the project will be implemented. Other states include Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Uttarakhand.
The project is designed to achieve multiple global environmental benefits in at least 1.8 million hectares (ha) of land in five landscapes, with mixed land use systems. It aims to bring at least 104,070 ha of farms under sustainable land and water management.
The project will also ensure 49 million Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) sequestered or reduced through sustainable land use and agricultural practices.
The Green-Ag Project is funded by the Global Environment Facility, while the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation, and Farmers’ Welfare (DAC&FW) is the national executing agency.Hence statement 2 is correct
9.The SWAMIH Fund often seen in news is related to:
Housing projects
Map residential land ownership in the rural area
Bridge the digital divide for school students
Free E-Learning Platform
Answer: (a)Housing projects
Explanation:
In NEWS:Finance Minister holds review meeting on Special Window for Stressed Residential Projects to boost investment in the Real Estate Sector
- Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman reviewed the performance of Special Window for Affordable and Mid Income Housing (SWAMIH)with Secretaries of Ministries of Finance and senior management team of the State Bank of India, SBI Capital Markets Limited and SBICAPS Ventures Limited (SVL).Hence Option (a) is correct.
- The fund has so far approved 81 projects with an investment of Rs 8767 crore.
- The approval, under the SWAMIH Investment Fund I, will enable the completion of nearly 60,000 homes across India.
- These projects are spread across both large cities as well as Tier 2 locations.
- SWAMIH Investment Fund I have been formed to complete construction of stalled, brownfield, RERA registered residential developments that are in the affordable housing / mid-income category, are networth positive and requires last-mile funding to complete construction.
- The total corpus of INR 25000 Cr.
- The Sponsor of the Fund is the Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India on behalf of the Government of India.
Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1640734
10.With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct?
- The ceiling laws were aimed at family holdings and not individual holdings.
- The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless.
- It resulted in cultivation of cash crops as a predominant form of cultivation.
- Land reforms permitted no exemptions to the ceiling limits.
Answer: (b) The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless.
Explanation:
- The Land reform constitutes the most important measures to improve the economic condition of agricultural tenants .The Land reforms program in post-Independence India has evolved through different phases and these includes Abolition of Intermediaries, Tenancy reforms, consolidation of holdings and determination of holdings per family, imposition of ceilings with fewer exemptions, and to distribute surplus land among landless peoples. Hence Option (b) is correct.
